Minus Miller, Meyer says Buckeyes are ready

Ohio state

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

A week after the loss of three-year starting quarterback Braxton Miller, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is going through final preparations for the Buckeyes’ opener on Saturday against Navy.

He says his team is ready.

“Oh, yeah. If you have good players, a good team [then you’re excited],” he said, pausing before joking, “I’ll fake it sometimes, if you don’t have a good team.

“But I can tell you this: I think we got a good team.”

Meyer disclosed that Miller, a two-time Big Ten player of the year and on the short list of Heisman Trophy frontrunners, will have surgery today on the torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder. Dr. James Andrews, renowned for his work with athletes, will perform the operation.

Normally, this would be a week of celebration for Miller, who was hurt a week ago in practice. He was voted a team captain, along with tight end Jeff Heuerman, defensive lineman Michael Bennett and two unrelated players named Grant — defensive back Doran Grant and linebacker Curtis Grant.

Instead, Miller will miss Saturday’s game while recovering from the surgery taking place in Gulf Breeze, Fla. He is not expected to return to the field until next August.

J.T. Barrett, a redshirt freshman who has never taken a collegiate snap, will start in his place. He will be backed by redshirt sophomore Cardale Jones, who has thrown a total of two passes in his Ohio State career.

Both may see action, although Barrett has a slight edge.

“It was thrust upon us pretty quickly because in my heart I thought Braxton would be ready to go. I didn’t envision this,” Meyer said. “I thought, man, this would be a really close battle for the backup spot. J.T. is the starting quarterback, but there’s not a big separation.”